Mom: Aleah made the most of her short life

life goes on: Lauren Cain cuddles her granddaughter Sophie during yesterday’s funeral service for her daughter Aleah at the Samuel David Simpson Memorial Funeral Chapel, Eastern Main Road, Laventille. Aleah, mother of Sophie, was gunned down in Belmont last week Tuesday.
—Photo: AYANNA KINSALE

She made the comment at a celebration of Aleah’s life at Samuel David Simpson Memorial Chapel on Eastern Main Road, Laventille, yesterday.

Aleah may have possessed a joie-de-vivre, but it was both ironic and unfortunate that her young life was cut short when she was shot in the chest in a drive-by shooting in Belmont on January 21.

To compound it, her newborn baby girl, Sophie, lost her mother.

Cain died while undergoing surgery at Port of Spain General Hospital and the dreams of the former pupil of St Michael’s Girls’ High School of being an interior designer were dashed.

Before the service, Cain lit three incense sticks and stuck them in a glass decorated with a pink carnation. But she was too grief-stricken, so Cain asked one of her “daughters”, Arielle Moses, to read the eulogy on behalf of her beloved Aleah.

Among those in the congregation were a strong Belmont contingent, including community activist Ralph Maximin, ace drummer Joseph Samuel, traditional mas man Francis Stephens and designer Saleem Samuel.

Samuel read King David’s Psalm 23.

“Losing a child is like losing a piece of myself; from now on a part of my heart will be empty. I must endure the pain of grieving the death of my Aleah but must celebrate her life,” said Moses.

“She was always a happy little girl with a big smile that could brighten anyone’s day. She especially loved the outdoors and enjoyed many weekends taking in the scenery in South Trinidad.

“Growing up, Aleah was filled with a love for dance. She enjoyed expressing herself through music and bringing people together. She enjoyed shopping and had a special love for design. She was always the one to decorate our house during Christmas and make it into a memorable home. We had a very close bond and shared a love only a mother and daughter could understand.”

Moses said she grew from a girl into a woman quickly and took extremely good care of Sophie.

Cain vowed to cherish her granddaughter, Sophie, who was “a constant reminder of our love”.